The owner of a pit bull that attacked and killed another dog last month agreed Wednesday to muzzle his dog in public and to have it neutered by Sept. 12 or he will be required to surrender it to Bergen County Animal Control officers.

Bob Harris, the supervising animal control officer for Bergen County, made the settlement offer before a Teaneck Municipal Court hearing began to determine if the pit bull owned by John Youngblood met the definition of a potentially dangerous animal under state law.

(Question, why is Harris making such a deal? Does he not realize that perhaps, just perhaps, “Biggie” is owned by someone not fit to own a gerbil!)

After Youngblood agreed to the terms, Judge James E. Young Jr. approved it during a brief hearing in Teaneck Munucipal Court.

Youngblood had earlier pleaded guilty to two municipal offenses - allowing his pit bull, named Biggie Smalls, to run loose in violation of the township's' leash law and failing to obtain a dog license.

The total fine for both including court costs was $95.

Hopefully there will be no more problems," Young said.

Corine Adams, the owner of the bichon frise that was fatally injured in the July 12 attack, attended the session with her fiance, but was not required to testify. Before the hearing she said that it was "unfair" that Youngblood would be able to keep the dog.

She left the courtroom visibly upset.

Before the hearing, Youngblood said he did not want to speak a reporter.

"This whole thing is a misunderstanding," he said. "It's an unfortunate incident."

In the words of Phil Collins, yes, “it must be a misunderstanding!”
In other words, my dog had mistaken your dog for dinner!

Do you feel the owner of the pit bull “Biggie Smalls” should have been allowed to keep his dog? (Given the 2nd chance, if you will!)